The term "Cantheist" was coined in 1996 by Chris Conrad in his manifesto of Sacramental Religious Usage of Cannabis in his brilliant Cannabis Manifesto: Cantheism.
To understand the deeply spirtual and religious connection with cannabis, it should be remembered that we have evoled as a species alongside the cannabis plant. Our bodies have a system that regulates ou internal state or well being and homeostasis through a biological system known as the enocannibinoid system, besides our own human mothers milk, cannabis is the only natural external source of cannabinoids that are required for the proper functioning of our endocannibionid system essential for maintaining health.
There have been numerious Cannabis Churches that have sprouted across the planet over the last few decades. The fundamental and unifying belief that all of these divers groups, ffelowships, congragations, ministries and churches have in connon is the direct and gnostic knowledge that Cannabis is a good and benifical plant that encourages us to be good to ourselves and to those around us.
Cantheist Creed
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I believe that Cannabis sativa, L. is the useful cane and the true hemp.
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I believe that Cannabis Hemp is a restorative natural resource for all humanity to grow, share, and use for our fundamental needs. Therefore, I shall honor its existance.
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I believe that the Cannabis plant is endowed with important healing powers, some of which cannot yet be explained. Therefore I shall offer it to ease the suffering of others.
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I recognize cannabis as a sacrament within my community. Therefore I shall receive it with thanksgiving and deep respect for its resinous powers.
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The cultivation and disemination of cannabis are honorable professions. Therefore I shall act with absolute integrity and honesty* to protect the Cantheist community and its values.
* Note: The Christian Bible states that "the truth shall set ye free" and "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's", therefore a Cantheist cannot lie or perjur themselves in a court of law because it violates both "the truth" and "the things that are Caesar's", namely the courts.
Cantheist Code
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I will share my faith, but not be obnoxious about it.
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We pray for our oppressors, and work for a better world.
Cantheology: Philosophical roots
Cantheism neither endorses nor discriminates against any other church, faith, or system of belief. Anyone may incorporate Cantheism into their current religious persuasion, so long as they adhere to the Creed.
Many of the world's great religions have used Cannabis sacramentally and ceremonially, including but not limited to:
Animism: Belief that all things have sentient spirits, and some versions assert that Cannabis has the power to cross the line between the mental and the spiritual worlds. Popular in Africa and pre-Columbian America. See the parable of the rope, below.
Biblical Judeo-Christian-Moslem religions, including Coptic Christianity and Rastafari: Genesis 1:29-31; Ezekiel 34:29; Isaiah 18:4-5; Rev. 22:1-2. Sacred spliff.
Egyptians: Smoke Eaters at the Temple at Thebes, incense, mortality rituals.
Hinduism: Sadhu, ganja, chillum, spiritual and physical healing, smoking cloth. Includes the mystical interpretation of Cannabis healing powers via Ayurvedic practices.
Pygmy and other African religions: Mound smokers, animism, the spirit of plants and nature, the breath of the gods.
Scythianism: Smoking huts, hemp labor, cannabis purification rituals.
Shamanism: Use of all herbs in mystical pursuit of the infinite.
Sufi Moslems: Use cannabis to reach an ecstatic state.
Zoroastrianism: Use cannabis to communicate with god on high for mystical consciousness and personal enlightenment.
Cannabis Hemp:
The rope that linked mankind to God
African creation myths explain why God, who once lived close to humankind, has removed himself from their world. Most of these myths describe a golden age when there was no separation between humans and their creator. However, something occurred to alienate God. The Mende say that God withdrew into the heavens because humans continually begged benefits from him. Ashanti mythology tells of God's retreat into the heavens after a woman hit him with her pestle while pounding traditional food. Myths from the upper White Nile area speak of the relationship between God and man being severed when a rope between heaven and earth was accidentally cut (Mbiti, John S. 1969. African Religions and Philosophy. London: Heinemann, p 97; Mitchell, Robert Cameron. 1977. African Primal Religions. Niles, IL: Argus Communications. p, 25).
Cantheist
Rites, Rituals and Ceremonies
Observance of Cantheist rites are beneficial but not mandatory. The extent of one's participation is a measure of the depth of one's devotion.
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Practice cannabism, the regular consumption of cannabis.
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Make oblation with the hempseed, and sow it everywhere.
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Offer thanksgiving and blessing for cannabis when you partake.
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Share the holy smoke among the faithful.
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Use a hempen prayer cloth to inhale through when sharing the holy smoke among the community.
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First passage of cannabis at age 16: Parents may choose to offer cannabis, child may pass on this opportunity.
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Age of personal consent at 18: Adult steps forward and accepts Cantheism and shares in the sacrament.
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Summer solstice: Bonfire jumping.
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Undertake cannabinges, periods of intense consumption of cannabis.
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Freedom pilgrimage: Take the sacrament in a land that it is free from oppression at least once in your life, and remember the years of persecution. © Cris Conrad 1996
The Cannaterian New Diety Dozen
The First Church of Cannabis
"Practice these in your daily adventures in life, teach others to do the same...
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Don't be an asshole. Treat everyone with Love as an equal.
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The day starts with your smile every morning, when you get up, wear it first.
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Help others when you can. Not for money, but because its needed.
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Treat your body as a temple. Do not poison it with poor quality foods and sodas.
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Do not take advantage of people. Do not intentioanlly hurt anything.
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Never start a fight... only finish them.
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Grow food, raise animals, get nature into your daily routine.
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Do not be a "troll" on the internet, respect others without name calling and being vulgarly agressive.
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Spend at least 10 min. a day just contemplating life in a quiet space.
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When you see a bully... stop them by any means possible. Protect those who cannot protect themselves.
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Laugh often, share humor. Have fun in life, be positive.
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Cannabis, "The Healing Plant" is our sacrament. It brings us closere to ourselves and others. It is our fountian of health, our love, curing us from illness and depression. We embrace it with our whole heart and spirit, individually and as a group.
© Bill Levin 2015
1st Church of Cannabis
The Cannabis Assembly
The Cannabis Assembly:
"We use cannabis to relax our consciousness and allow our sub conscious to reach a state of meditation thus allowing us to improve as human beings and enhance our understanding of the essence of the living universe."© Cannabis Assembly, Sept 2004
"We began to inform the UK government of our religious use and cultivation of cannabis in September 2004... We believe the Cannabis Hemp plant is sacred. We believe no authority on Earth has the right to prevent us from growing and using any God given plant that relieves pain and brings peace. The Herb is part of our religion and international law guarantees our right to religious freedom. Together we are fighting to give The Herb back to the people. Religious use of cannabis is legal under international law and we are going to prove it... The Cannabis Assembly is a Cantheist ministry with a current membership of over 10,000.
By joining us you are stating that you are sincere in your religious use of cannabis.
You cannot become a member of the Cannabis Assembly unless you are a current user and/or cultivator of cannabis Sacrament. .. If you can confirm that you use the Herb religiously, either as part of your meditation or prayer or to achieve a relaxed mental balance to carry out any aspect of your chosen religion, then you are a Cantheist". © Cannabis Assembly, 2004
Gnostic Universalist Cantheist:
The Gnostic Universalist Church is a Free Church, dedicated to the individual personal freedom to form and participate in a gnostic union with deity, however that is determined or defined by the individual. Our approach is universalist recognizing the individual capacity for personal salvation and the divinity that dwells within each individual and teaching, making religion and worship an egalitarian process of the sovereign individual. Non-denomination , recognizing all faiths and paths as equally valid or not as the individual perceives, yet composed of autonomous orders each with their individual focus.
There are three pillars of truth:
Agape: Love is the supreme law of all and basis for all right action
Sophia: Do that which is right- only you know what is right for you in any given moment
Logos: The tree of life (Zoe) has been sent for the healing of the nations.
The United Cannabis Ministry
"We use cannabis religiously and you can, too."
The first gathering of the UCM was held on Oct.26-28, 2005. It was held in Laytonville, CA w/ about 30 people attending. The main purpose of the gathering was to form the first Proclamation with a Statement Of Purpose. The Proclamation is as follows:
1. To spread knowledge of the most useful plant of the world
2. To cover the world with this plant.
3. Be sure that everyone can have marijuana.
4. To stop the persecution.
5. To promote and protect the religious and spiritual
uses of cannabis.
6. To form a Body Politic so we can have a voice.
7. To create a sustainable world economy through the legalization
and proliferation of hemp cultivation.
8. To bring truth to the world.
9. To redeem what it is to be human together, through cannabis
as a sacrament and hemp as a sustainable resource.
10. To heal the sick and restore the planet.
The Hawai`i Cannabis Ministry
"Where spirit and science meet human needs."
Our Practices
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Holy Cannabis sacrament is used by members for prayer, meditation, worship, nutrition, healing, and fellowship.
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We use Cannabis in formal rituals, including baptisms, weddings, & funerals.
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Cannabis use as a sacrament is also encouraged for communing with nature.
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Holy Anointing Oil, made according to the recipe given to Moses, is used to bless and heal.
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Making and providing Cannabis sacramentals for those in need is an important part of the THC Ministry’s mission.
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We teach members to bless their challenges, find the good in any situation and to honor all of God’s creation.
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We strive to live with modesty, good manners and humbleness.
Our Beliefs
The THC Ministry is a universal religious organization that uses Cannabis to exalt consciousness, facilitate harmony, and become closer to God and Nature.
We believe that:
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Cultivation and enjoyment of Cannabis sacrament is a fundamental human right provided by God and protected by the U.S. Constitution.
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Sacramental use of Cannabis opens the mind, frees the soul and releases the body to commune with God and balance itself.
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Cannabis has been used for millennia as a sacrament by spiritual seekers & is the original sacrament of Hebrew, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Shinto, Buddhist, Rasta and more.
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Cannabis is the Tree of Life, given to humans by God for food, shelter, clothing, fuel, medicine, sacrament and much more.
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Cannabis was given by God to help humans find answers to fundamental questions about the meaning of life and their place in it.
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Cannabis fosters a spirit of harmony and compassion among people.
Holy Anointing Oil
Holy Anointing Oil is a key component of the THC Ministry. The ancient recipe, given by God to Moses in Exodus 30:23, was made with myrrh, cinnamon, Cannabis (“fragrant cane”), and cassia infused in olive oil and blessed with prayer. The THC Ministry makes the Holy Anointing Oil of Moses and the christening oil of Jesus based on the Old Testament recipe. We’re honored to bring this age-old practice back to modern times.Our Holy Anointing Oil has had extraordinary effects on many physical ailments, including gangrene, arthritis & migraines. It is also used for spiritual purposes. The word “Christ” means “Anointed One.” Jesus Christ used Holy Anointing Oil to heal the sick and bless people.
THC Ministry Blessing
God, that’s great!
Show me the blessings in this situation…and hurry!
We are safe, we are loved and all is well.
Observe by giving thanks in formal or informal rituals using Cannabis sacrament.
Sacred Days
April 20: International Cannabis Day
September 20: THC Ministry Founding Day
Solstices and Equinoxes
United Federation of Cannabis Churches Announces World Congress for Cannabis Ministries
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 08, 2015
Steven Hager is the founder of the Cannabis Cup, the first person to do 420 ceremonies outside Marin County, editor of Cannabis Spirituality by Stephen Gaskin, and the organizer behind the Pot Illuminati.
Chris Bennett is the author of the Soma Solution, and many other books on cannabis and sprituality, and has pioneered awareness about the role of cannabis in founding many of our greatest religions, knowledge that has been suppressed for centuries.
Bill Levin is a Libertarian organizer and former NORML board member active in the music scene in Indiana who fought against a religious rights bill that allows churches to discriminate against gay people. After the law was passed he applied and got permission for the First Church of Cannabis.
These three dynamic cultural pioneers have banded together to create the United Federation of Cannabis Churches, and already ministries in Alabama, Mississipi, Indiana, Oregon, Washington, Jamaica and the Czech Republic have requested to join the federation.
Their newly formed Federation of Cannabis Churches has announced a World Congress of Cannabis Ministries being planned for July 24-26, 2015, in Colorado.
There are numerous crowdfunders you can support.
For the U.F.C.C.:
http://www.gofundme.com/qx6pxc
For the First Church of Cannabis:
http://www.gofundme.com/churchofcannabis
For the Pot Illuminati:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/grand-lodge-of-the-pot-illuminati/x/10399375
